CONNECT - IN THIS ISSUE MEET OUR BRIGHT IDEAS WINNERS - Energy United
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JANUARY 2021 CONNECT E N E R G Y U N I T E D ' S M O N T H LY M E M B E R N E W S L E T T E R IN THIS ISSUE MEET OUR BRIGHT IDEAS WINNERS HOW SOPHIA LEEMAN EMPOWERS THE FUTURE WINTER ENERGY SAVINGS TIPS
business tr ansition
p l a n a n n o u n c em en t
EnergyUnited Adopts New Plan to Improve Member Service and Reduce Costs
O U R C E O H . WAY N E W I L K I N S
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, EnergyUnited continually analyzes its
operations to identify opportunities to improve our service and reduce operational
costs wherever possible; however, COVID-19 ultimately helped shape our perspective
on this analysis in 2020. Understanding all the changes we have endured in 2020, we
once again asked ourselves, “How can we continue to provide excellent service to our
members and do so at the lowest possible cost?”
The answer to our question was not an easy one, but it became clear as the result of
a nearly yearlong study. This ultimately led the EnergyUnited Board of Directors to
approve the adoption of a new service delivery model for our members, one that will
better leverage the use of authorized pay agents in the future for in-person payment
transactions instead of maintaining cooperative offices for that service.
Our new model was shaped by many different data points – your feedback on
independently conducted surveys, guidelines implemented during most of 2020 from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a study of the utilization of
all available payment options used in recent years. The data told us a compelling story.
Even before the pandemic began, members’ preferences to pay their bill was by bank
draft, by mail, online, over the phone or at any of the authorized pay agents; however,
members did not want to pay any processing fees either online, over the phone or with
A LETTER FROM
our authorized pay agent options. Meanwhile, the walk-in, in-person transactions at
our offices were the least utilized and the most expensive to service.
So, we decided to expand member access to the authorized pay agent payment option
by waiving all transactional fees. Now, members can pay their bills via bank draft, by
mail, online, over the phone, at any of our payment kiosks or drop boxes, or with any of
our authorized pay agents without any associated fees.
In March of 2020, we closed all our front offices due to the COVID pandemic. With the
expansion of access to authorized pay agents, making it easier to make payments, we
have decided to not reopen our front offices. Under this new plan, all EnergyUnited
customer care representatives are now available to answer more phone calls, which
enables us to respond to your questions and service requests more quickly. Meanwhile,
we will also continue to increase our presence in the community by supporting local
organizations and causes.
Going forward, we will continue to analyze our operations to identify opportunities to
improve our service and reduce operational costs and implement those as warranted.
Our continued ability to deliver safe, convenient service at the lowest possible cost
remains top of mind for everyone here at EnergyUnited. As we move forward in
2021, we are excited to implement this new plan and further strengthen your local
connection to safe, convenient, reliable and affordable energy services.
H. Wayne Wilkins
EU RECOGNIZES
40 TEACHERS FOR THEIR
BRIGHT IDEAS
We are proud to award over $43,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to 40 teachers this
year. Students at schools in Alexander, Cabarrus, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell,
Rockingham and Rowan counties will enjoy these engaging interactive classroom projects.
This year’s winning projects leverage investments in technology and tools that help facilitate
social distancing while finding unique ways to achieve desired educational outcomes.
Since the Bright Ideas grant program began in 1994, EnergyUnited has contributed more
than $900,000 to local teachers.
Bright Ideas grant applications are collected each year from April through mid-September, and
winning proposals are selected in a competitive evaluation process by a panel of judges. The
application process will reopen for interested teachers in April 2021. To find out more information
about the Bright Ideas grant program, visit Energyunited.com/bright-ideas.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S T O :
Dana Gillis, The Brawley School Jenna Shaw, South Davidson High
Tai McMiller, American Renaissance Elementary Desirae Balsamo, Hanes Middle
Natalie Grant, North Davidson High School Tammy Shelton, Silver Valley Elementary
Rick Marcy, Discovery Program at the Springs Joseph Higdon, Moorseville High School
Sarah Bridges, Oak Grove High School Robyn H. Owen, Colfax Elementary
Alan Lorne Cook, Statesville High Sara Webb, Lake Norman Elementary
Phillip Haworth, Charles England Elementary Tori Cardea, West Rowan High
Kelly Grant, Churchland Elementary Darlene Marotta, Union Grove Elementary
Kelly Hartzell, The North Carolina Caroline Stalvey, Friedberg Elementary
Leadership Academy Courtney Frasier, The Brawley School
Samantha Crews, Douglass Elementary Jennifer DiFiore, North Iredell Middle
Linda Dearman, Cool Spring Elementary Kristi Miller, West Rowan High
Michael Williams, Crossroads Arts and Casey Mancilla, William R Davie Elementary
Science Early College Danny Lough, Central Davie Academy
Tracy Skeens, Crossroads Arts and Tim Hamby, Statesville High
Science Early College Justin Bennett, Career Academy
Katie Bogle, A L Brown High and Technical School
Shirley Cox, Davis-Townsend Elementary Royzetta Cokley, The North Carolina
Alesha Spring Roseman, Overton Elementary Leadership Academy
Corabelle Brindle, Statesville Middle Gina McGee, Konnoak Elementary
Bleasha A Carroll, Fair Grove Elementary Jennifer Steele, Pickett Primary
Zachary Richardson, Wittenberg Elementary April Hendley, Southwood Elementary
COM
T H E F U T U R E S T O RY
HOW SOPHIA LEEMAN
EMPOWERS THE FUTURE.
How did you hear about EnergyUnited’s EMPOWERING
THE FUTURE scholarship program? Counselor, parent, website, email?
I heard about this scholarship program from my high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Smith.
Tell us about the first year of your college experience? I know you could probably say a
LOT as it’s been such an interesting year, but maybe share your college name, major, some
EMPOWERING
classes you’re taking and highlights of your first semester.
I am majoring in biomedical engineering at Duke University. This semester, I participated
in the Genetics and Genomics focus program at Duke. Another rewarding experience I
had was in my engineering design class. My team was tasked with creating an off-the-grid
model energy system to power an engineering makerspace at Duke University that would
be reproducible for implementation at universities in developing countries. I thought this was
fitting considering EnergyUnited was so supportive of my education this year. After teaming up
with two other first-year engineering design teams, we were able to design and construct a
self-sufficient solar system off the grid to power a makerspace used by Duke students next
semester! The best part of my Duke experience, however, has been going on this adventure with
my twin sister, Julia. In such crazy times, she is always there with me and that’s really special.
What did getting this scholarship mean to you/your family?
Receiving this support for my education meant the world to my family and me. I am so
honored that this company believes in me and has made such a clear commitment to the
community. Even beyond the scholarship, I still keep in touch with representatives from
EnergyUnited, who are constantly rooting for me this first year at Duke.
If you could give future applicants a piece of advice, what would it be?
I know when applying to scholarships it can be hard to accept that people will choose you out
of a large applicant pool just for your true and honest story, and it can get discouraging when
applications come back with “unfortunately we were not able to award you the scholarship
this year.” However, I think the best advice I can give is to write about what matters to you
instead of what you think would matter to the people reviewing your application. I promise
the people at EnergyUnited are just that: people. They care about everything that makes you
unique and genuinely want to help you succeed.
What are your future goals/career aspirations?
I am still undecided where my journey will take me after college. As a biomedical engineering
major, I have so many options! I might go straight into industry working in a variety of
fields from genetic engineering to prosthetic development or cancer research. However,
I am also still considering furthering my education to obtain my master’s degree or
doctorate so that I can fully dive into research, and I still haven’t ruled out medical
school. Whatever my journey, I hope my career allows me to continue exploring new
innovations and giving back to my community.
MUNITY CONNECTIONS
NC GREENPOWER’ S
SOLAR+ SCHOOLS
PROGRAM
NC GreenPower is accepting applications for the 2021 Solar+ Schools program
beginning January 2, 2021. Any North Carolina K–12 school may apply for a grant
of up to $27,000 toward installation costs. In addition, awardees receive nearly
$14,000 in related benefits, such as donated SunPower solar modules, a STEM
curriculum and teacher training.
O P E N YO U R P H O N E C A M E R A A N D S C A N TO W ATC H
SOLAR ANSWERS:
I S S O L A R R I G H T F O R YO U ?
visit NcGreenPower.org/solar-schools/ to apply.
EMPOWERING
THE FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP.
A P P LY N O W
FOR 2021
S TA R T T H E Y E A R
WITH A NEW
W AY T O P AY
BANK DRAFT
Automate your payments
P AY O N L I N E O R V I A A P P
Download the EnergyUnited app or log in online
P AY B Y P H O N E
Dial 1-800-215-7315 and follow the voice prompts
3 R D - P A R T Y P AY C E N T E R S
Visit EnergyUnited.com/Pay-Electric to find a popular retail location near you
P AY M E N T K I O S K S O R D R O P B O X E S
Located at our main offices
Haven’t taken advantage of our various ways to pay? Well now’s your chance! Our offices may be closed but members
will enjoy NO associated fees with any of our payment options! Plus, with so many locations, chances are a way to pay is
closer than you think! To find a full list of convenient ways to pay near you, visit EnergyUnited.com/pay-electric.
S AV I N G S T I P S
Keeping the heat on at full blast is simply not sustainable—and we mean both for
your wallet and the environment. Here’s how you can save some green this season.
1
Every degree of temperature change influences the energy in your home by about 8%—
which means if you were setting your thermostat at 72°F but can stand to have it at
69°F, you can reduce your heating costs by around 24%!
WINTER ENERGY
2
Try to remember to lower your thermostat when you leave the house for anything more
than several hours. A smart thermostat like Google Nest can do that for you.
3
Set up a profile on EnergyUnited’s Energy Advisor, our state-of-the-art tool that helps
you understand where you could be saving more energy.
4
Shut the window: A typical window left open overnight in winter will waste enough
energy to drive a small car over 35 miles.
These simple tips can make for big savings—for our environment and your finances alike!
Check out our Energy Advisor tool at Energyunited.com/save-money.
*Source: Scientific American
A SMARTER
2021
We often see higher energy bills during the chillier months, and many times it’s due
to heating the house during impractical times, or not being as mindful as we should
be. One simple fix for this? A smart thermostat! These high-tech devices bring all the
function of traditional thermostats while also allowing you to manage and adjust
the temperature from your phone (even when you’re out of the house), analyze your
energy use, and most importantly, help you save energy and money!
And if that wasn’t cool enough, homes with smart thermostats are free to enroll in our
Peak Time Perks program as well!
PEAK TIME PERKS is a program for EnergyUnited electric residential members that rewards
you for allowing us to adjust your Google Nest or Honeywell Home smart thermostat during
peak periods. When you sign up, you’ll be credited $50 on your electric bill. And for each year after
that, an additional $20 will be credited to your account.
Find out more about these programs by visiting EnergyUnited.com/demand-response.
MAKE 2021
THE YEAR OF E-BILLING
And why? Not only will signing up help you save time, money and paper
but it also comes with some pretty sweet perks.
Sign up during the month of January
$100
and earn the chance to win one of three
Visa® gift cards
or bill credits
Log in to My account and update your billing preferences
or call 1-800-522-3793 today.
NEW YEAR
N E W H E A LT H Y
RECIPES
The Recipe Share Cookbook is back for another month
of fabulous recipe submissions from our lovely readers
(that’s you!). All recipes will be included in the cookbook
and photos will be added as space permits.
And if you’re starting 2021 with a resolution to make
healthier choices and lose a couple of pounds, we’ve got
a great resource for you! Join us for a healthier year by
submitting your lean, low-fat, or carb-conscious recipes to
EU-communications@energyunited.com.
Please submit your recipes no later
than January 20.
If you don’t have access to email, please send a typed version
of your recipe with your first and last name to:
EnergyUnited: Cookbook Collection
P.O. Box 1831
Statesville, NC 28687
P.S: All of these recipes will soon be available on our
digital cookbook! Check them out at
Energyunited.com/2021-cookbook-collection.
EnergyUnited @EnergyUnitedEMC EnergyUnited Electric Cooperative EnergyUnitedEMC
ENERGYUNITED.COM 1-800-522-3793
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